Crime/Courts

By Cathy Mullens –(Published: June 8, 2017) A convicted felon shot and killed his cousin Tuesday afternoon in Toltec, a former mining camp just north of Walsenburg near Highway 69. Victor Salazar, 38, shot and killed Steve Salazar, 41 at a home on County Road 590, according to Huerfano County Sheriff Bruce Newman. “The shooting occurred at 4:16 p.m. and we had him in custody by 5:30 p.m.” Newman told The Signature. Steve Salazar was…

By David Rinehart –(Published: May 18, 2017) Approving up to $14,257 for electrical repairs, and preparing for thousands more for equipment replacement, the Board of Huerfano County Commissioners (BOCC) reported the county’s equipment at the City Ranch Pit, east of Walsenburg, was burglarized a couple of weeks ago. According to County Administrator John Galusha the vandals stole a welder and trailer, copper cable, tools and repair parts. The county can perform some of the work,…

By Renee Rinehart (Published: March 23, 2017) Kevin Vallejos, 47, former Huerfano County Sheriff’s Captain, will go to trial on charges of felony child sex assault in September after rejecting a plea agreement. Vallejos was set to appear in court last Friday to accept a plea agreement offered by special prosecutors Jim Bullock and Jack Roth, or go to trial. Vallejos rejected the plea deal and opted for a jury trial in Huerfano County District…

(Published: March 9, 2017) A brazen escape led to a quick capture of an inmate at the Huerfano County Jail on Friday night. Sheriff Bruce Newman said inmate Randy Roybal, 25, saw an opportunity to escape from the recreation yard at about 8 p.m., and went for it. He climbed two chain link fences and two razor wire fences before making a run for it through the City of Walsenburg. Newman said six officers were…

(Published: Feb. 16, 2017) Former Huerfano County Sheriff Captain Kevin Vallejos is set for court on March 17 to enter a plea on charges of felony child sex assault dating back to 1998. Vallejos was offered a plea agreement last Friday morning, before his case was scheduled in court. The hearing was held with Vallejos, his attorneys, special prosecutors and a special judge on the telephone. Defense attorney Ted McClintock asked the court for time…